Reader’s Digest India | May 2012 Issue | Magazine Reviews

The editorial of the issue of May 2012 of Reader’s Digest (India) is quite interesting. I like the stuff that the editor brings us his memories about meeting with Baba Amte (who left the world behind 4 years ago). He was a genuine fellow and the stuff he did for the society is really remarkable and must not be forgotten. In this fast-life and glamour oriented world, there are a few who lives and gives like Baba Amte and so does the people who remember them! Kudos. Also there is an article about the visit to Anandwan the place mentored by Baba Amte, we will come to that point a little later. On the cover page (yellow background) we see a girl standing in-front of the mirror, seeing someone else rather then herself and thinking something, we found the phrase “Are You Normal Or Nuts”! Seems quite difficult to understand right? But the editorial says it is the article about a common behavior by us. Actually there are many times we met someone who convey us that we know each other but we are unable to recall the stuff exactly. We anyway introduces him with someone else like a friend or spouse accompany us and during the conversation we find the name of the other fellow. So this habit of forgetting such information is normal or there is a neurological problem? The article is about that. Of course the Mother’s day is approaching 13th May 2012 and there is an article about the same as well.

The regular “React” section is there with the Reader’s responses for the past issue. The article about “Buyology” got positive reviews and some facts are revealed by the readers are quite eye-opener. Eg. A reader from Mumbai – fond of branded cloth – purchased some shirts from a reputed shop and after some time when found that the shop announced huge discount, thought to try the luck again. What found by the reader was, the shop owners have raised the prices from 10-25% first and then offering the discount!! Well, it is the fact we need to know, that there is nothing called discounts. Everything comes from the pocket of the customer only. An elder fellow suggests that as the part of rotating the wealth/responsibilities one should try at least, giving their older cloths to the needy people when buy new. It not only help those, but also fulfills a social responsibility. There are readers who says, if you have will, no ad campaign is strong enough to make you buy compulsory! True! Music therapy, helping hands etc section also received the responses. The good one is a question raised by a reader that “Must all adventure be banned since it might result in the death of animals?” got the best letter prize. Read the letter fully to get the details about the same.

Right here right now, section have a lot of stuff available to read, but this one is counted for us to mention here. A product named Embrace infant warmer, which is explained with illustrations. It is boon for the pre-term babies and babies with low birth weight if it work as it claims. A nice product.

When Good doctors write is the title of the book review section and the following books are reviewed there.

Nowadays every one is in the race to earn a good job, money, social status, life style and all. It is like a rat race and we prepare the new generation for the same as well! There are a few pathbreakers too. Jennifer and Jeff Minter, a couple from Australia is the example. They were serving as teachers but then they left behind the life of deadlines and red tapes to explore the country to fulfill their dreams.

It is not easy to defend the wildlife. It is even tougher when the high officials and people with power are associated in killing animals. They are the law they think and that is why they are above them (as per their opinion). But there are people like Brijendra Singh who see nothing else like the job position or political connection but the crime and its severity when an accused is traced by him who plays with wildlife. Bittu Sehgal introduces us to him in his column.

Psychology is an interesting subject. Even the depressions can good for you! Well, Karen Krizanovich explains it. She also admits in the starting that when anyone hear something like “Deprssion can good for you and it can lead to positive stuff in your life”, people often compare it to “I suppose I hit by a bus and learn a lot”. Read the article to know more inside.

The admired section “Kindness of strangers” which focuses on “you can help anybody if you have a heart” bring the following tales :

1. A night at the border
2. Library Uncle
3. Still in service